FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1897-1899. 1819 
sary drawings and illustrations for publications of the National 
Museum, $180,000. 
Norr.—This item provides for all expenses incident to the preservation, exhibi- 
tion, and increase of the collections, except such as are specifically named under 
other headings. It covers the compensation of the scientific and clerical staff, and 
of the preparators, watchmen, and laborers, the cost of supplies required in the con- 
duct of the Museum, such as preservatives, stationery, and other incidentals, the cost 
of transportation, the acquisition of specimens, etc. 
The large additions made annually to the Museum collections cause a material 
increase each year in the amount of provision necessary for their care and preserva- 
tion, while at the same time the number of skilled employees continues inadequate 
to secure to the public the full benefits which it might derive from the more prompt 
classification and arrangement of these collections. Thesorting out and distribution 
among educational establishments of the duplicate specimens, for which requests 
are received almost daily, is one of the important matters that is greatly delayed by 
this cause. 
In connection with the estimates presented last year, attention was called to the 
importance of increasing the practical utility of the Museum collections, in response to 
a popular demand, which the insufficiency of funds has prevented proper compliance 
with heretofore. As the first step in this direction, it is desired to perfect the more 
essential features of the Division of Applied Geology, which has been established 
with the object of illustrating the mineral resources of the United States on a com- 
prehensive scale and in such manner that all persons interested in the subject may 
find here the opportunity for securing useful information. Means are now especially 
needed for enlarging the collection of ores and useful minerals, and for representing 
their mode of occurrence, their association in different localities, the methods 
employed for their extraction, ete. 
To meet these several requirements it is requested that the full amount of the esti- 
mate be allowed. 
For the purchase of books, pamphlets, and periodicals for reference 
in the National Museum, $2,000. 
Norr.—For the purchase of such books, pamphlets, and periodicals as are required 
in conducting the operations of the Museum, the sum of $2,000, the same as is pro- 
vided by the current appropriation, will be necessary. 
For repairs to buildings, shops, and sheds, National Museum, 
including all necessary labor and material, $10,000. 
Norr.—Although the sum of $8,000 has been requested in the estimates for repairs 
to buildings during several years past, the amount appropriated has never exceeded 
$4,000. This sum has been entirely insufficient to meet even the most urgent require- 
ments, making it necessary to defer action from year to year on many important 
matters, some of which can no longer be delayed without risk of serious injury to 
the Museum buildings. This is especially so with regard to the roof, ceilings, and 
exterior woodwork. Several badly worn and decayed wooden floors also require to 
be replaced by more suitable materials, and the interior walls have in many places 
become dilapidated and unsightly. The amount now asked for, $10,000, is based 
upon a low estimate of the cost of such repairs as require immediate attention. 
For rent of workshops and temporary storage quarters for the 
National Museum, $4,040. 
Nore.—Congress, at its last session, increased the appropriation for rent of work- 
shops and storage quarters from $2,000 to $4,500. Under the arrangements made in 
